Page 59 of A Blackened Bond

I pull my hand back with his voice calling her in my ears, clenching my fists to stop myself from reaching for her again.

A beat of silence passes before I open my mouth again, hoping I didn’t mess this up or push her away with how stupidly awkward I am.

“It is. Maybe…I can show you sometime?”

A genuine glint of excitement grows in her eyes as her soft, rosy lips curve upwards. “I’d like that.”

Those three words send my heart thrumming to a rhythm I don’t think it’s ever felt.

Is this how it was to have a Mate? Where even the smallest reply of something makes me feel like my chest is going to burst? Where just her smile can have me feeling the same sense of excitement and happiness she does?

“What’s happening here?” Annex says as he plops down beside Micai, a genuine look of interest glinting in his eyes.

“Nothing,” Micai responds as she gives me a small, knowing smile, keeping my peaceful place just between us.

My heart warms further with the thought. That we were sharing something between just us.

“Sure,” Annex says, his eyes narrowing playfully at me and Micai before reaching into a large paper bag and pulling out four small dessert boxes. Each is carefully wrapped and contains a different dessert in each one.

Ezra plops down on the other side of Micai and follows Annex’s lead, taking out his own paper bag and three medium-sized dessert boxes.

They line them up in front of Micai and open them, the smell instantly wafting up and into our noses. Each one is different and more delicious than the next.

“What’s all this?” she calls, her eyes wide as they flicker back and forth from the desserts placed in front of her. She looks like she wants to leap toward the food, her fingers flexing back and forth as my grin widens.

She really loved her food—something I happily store away for later.

“They’re all yours, Red. We couldn’t decide what you’d like. So we got one of every dessert they had.” Grins Annex as he watches Micai’s excited gaze.

“Daina said you would probably like the apple pie.” Adds Ezra, pushing a large slice of Daina’s best seller toward Micai. “But her cheesecakes and tarts are really popular too. The strawberry one is my favourite.” He calls, pushing that particular tart closer to her, the large and glossy strawberries instantly catching Micai’s eyes as Ezra’s grin grows.Our second in command had a sweet tooth bigger than even mine.

“Daina can bake like nobody’s business. She’s this town’s best-kept secret. Even Mallyn loves her brownies.” Chuckles Annex, glancing my way.

Micai flicks her gaze toward me before looking at the rich chocolate-dipped brownie, a cute smirk lacing her lips as our eyes meet.

“I also got you an eclair, a raspberry and pistachio frangi-something, ahugehomemade chocolate chip cookie, and some chocolate mousse-thingy.” He holds up the small cylindrical mousse with a spoon before placing it in front of Micai. “Eat up, Red.”

She glances back and forth between the table full of desserts, her eyes flickering to each of us and our expressions before a soft laugh bubbles up from her. One so beautiful and hearty it sounds like music to my ears.

“I don’t know if I can eat all of this by myself.” She glances at each one of us. “I might need a little help?”

We each give her an answering smile before joining her. A warm feeling spreads through me as I join my brothers—and Mate—to eat.

I thought what I had with the boys before was what a family felt like, but this…thiswas what was missing.Micai.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

MICAI’S POV

Ifeel like I could burst from all the food the guys have been feeding me today. If I was wearing jeans, I’d have to undo a button.Or three.

I pat my stomach, the delicious pasta carbonara I had eaten minutes earlier still digesting as we approach ‘Elles’.

The boys had been feeding me a lot today and showing me all of their regular haunts; ‘Cage’ the vintage music shop Ezra likes, ‘Al’s Diner’, an old retro-style diner at the edge of town that apparently did the best shakes, and ‘Nero’s’ a small Italian bistro not far from the Roller-room, and one of Annex’s favourite places to eat.

I watched on as he and a small, greying Italian man conversed back and forth in perfect Italian. Hearing Annex’s husky voice fluently speaking that sexy language with ease had me heating up and squeezing my thighs together.I wonder if I can convince him to whisper some words to me later when we’re alone.

We pass Pages and Pies, the place where the boys got those delicious pastries and sandwiches earlier. Mallyn told me that it’s one of the places they visit regularly, and that there was asmall bookstore at the back of the café, and it was a nice place to read in peace.

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